Feed-trough



J. W. WARD.

FEED THOUGH.

APPLICATION HLED NOV. 1. 1920.

Patented July 26, 1921.

J fl 'd I s I v Gum M041 generally improve upon UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

JAIME-5 WALTER WARD, OF MOUNT VERNON, ILLINOIS.

FEED-TROUGE.

1,385,510, Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 26', 1921.

Application flied November 1, 1920. Serial No. 421,090.

invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved feed trough which is designed vfor feeding stock such as calves and other small animals who have been taken from their mothers because.

of various accidents and other reasons.

The principal ob ect of the invention 1s to by the provision of one of extreme simplicity and durability, the same being in the form of an elongated trough embodying a plu rality of separate compartments for containing a predetermined amount of milk or the like, and each of these compartments being provided with. a down-turned outlet at its bottom, to which a nipple may be connected for regulating the amount of milk passing from this compartment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel supporting bracket for the trough whereby the latter ma be held in an inclined position to permit e ective drainin of the liquid therefrom.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the same:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a feed trough constructed in accordance with this invention, the same being shown positioned on a suitable support.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 an end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is clearly illustrated, it will be seen that nu meral 1 designates an elongated trough which, in its preferred form, is open at its devices of this classtop and is provided with downwardly and linwardlytapered front and rear walls 2 and "3 respectlvely. Arranged in the trough at spaced intervals is a plurality of V-shaped artitions 4 which serve to divide the trough 1I1t0, a plurality of separate compartments. Leading from each com artment 1s a downturned outlet neck 5d1sposed close to the bottom of the trough to insure' effective draining of the latter when liquidis being dispensed. For small animals, such as calves, especially those whohave been taken from their mother before weaning, I make use of a plurality of nipples 6 and I connect one to each of the outletspouts 5. These nipples will be of various sizes and the fiuid escape holes therein will vary according to the amount of liquid desired to be fed therethrough. By regulating the flow of llquid through the employment of these nip-- ples, proper digestion will be obtained.

In order to insure that the entire contents of the compartment will be drained, it is desirable to support the trough in an inclined position. To this end, I make use of a plurality of brackets 7 which have their lower ends bent in the manner disclosed to support the trough in this manner, while they have their opposite ends bent to form hooks 8 adaptedto take over a supporting board or the like 9. This board may be coni From the foregolng description it will be 7 seen that I have devised an extremely effective device for feeding small animals. By use of this device, farmers and cattleraisers will be enabled to preserve young animals whose mothers refuse to feed them. However, the most important advantage of the invention is that it serves as an effective means fdr weaning small animals. Another important feature apparent from the foregomg description is that the construction which I employ renders the device extremely sanitary. Then again, the novel supporting brackets retain the trough in such aposition that the entire contents will be effectively drained therefrom. The device may be supported from any convenient place Due to the simplicity of construction, the

device will -be found extremely inexpensive to both the manufacturer and the user.

Careful consideration of the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing is thought to be sufficient to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention relates to obtain a clear understanding of the same, therefore, a more lengthy description is deemed unnecessary.

Since probably the best results may be obtained with'the construction and arrangement shown and described, this construction and arrangement is taken as the referred embodiment of the invention. owever, various minor changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without 'departing from the spirit of the inventiddorl'the' scope of the subjoined. claim. I

I claim- A device o f the class described compris ing' an elongated; substantially rectangular trough, open-at its topa'nd provided with inwardly and downwardly ihcli ned-tfirontl and rear sides of substantially the same height, said, front side being rovided adjacent its bottom with a plurality of spaced exteriorly dis osed downwardly inclined outlet necks, nlpples on the ends of the latter, a plurality of substantially V-shaped partitions in the trough dividing the latter into a plurality of separate compartments, one of said necks leading from each of the compartments, said artitions being of substantially the same eight as the aforesaid sides of the trough, and supportin brackets for the trough provided at their lower ends with inclined hooks receiving the lower end of the trough for retaining the latterin an inclined position, portions of said brackets extending upwardly and bearing against the rear side-of the trough and being formed at their free ends with hooks adapted to take over a supporting board or the like. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand.--

JAMES -=WAITER WARD. 

